2010 Yamaha YZ450F First Look

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Yamaha has been secretive about the 2010 Yamaha YZ450F, but it looks like the wait was worth it.

Details have emerged on perhaps the most hotly anticipated motocross motorcycle for next year: The 2010 Yamaha YZ450F. Off-road and motocross riding enthusiasts have been buzzing in anticipation of this new dirt bike and Yamaha hasn’t disappointed. Next year its top-of-the-line YZ machine is radically changed with an all-new engine and chassis.

Engine
For 2010 the YZ450F’s engine employs revolutionary new ideas we’ve never seen on a Japanese motocross bike. The first thing you’ll notice, besides its sharp new angular bodywork, is the way the 449cc liquid-cooled Single is positioned in the frame. It’s canted rearward for two reasons. First to exploit combustion force and second to keep the bikes reciprocating mass as centered and low as possible. You’ll also notice that the exhaust now exits from the rear of the engine. This was done in order to maximize the engine’s intake and exhaust efficiency by offering a direct path for both fuel and exhaust to flow through the engine.

The bike’s air intake system has been relocated to the front of the bike underneath the fuel tank just like on Yamaha’s YZF-line of sportbikes. A 12-hole fuel-injector shoots fuel into the 44mm Keihin throttle body attached to the front of the engine. It’s powered by a battery-less high input generator that is powered as soon as the kick start is touched.
The cylinder utilizes a bigger bore, shorter stroke format (97.0 x 60.8mm) with a higher compression ratio (12.5:1). A new 4-valve cylinder head replaces last year’s 5-valve component, and, in conjunction with the shorter piston stroke reduces the overall height of the engine. A new “tornado” exhaust system snakes trough the rear of the bike and is designed to complement the new engine’s power characteristics. The 5-speed transmission and cable-actuated wet clutch has also been updated for improved feel and shifting performance.

This cut-out shows the new 1.6 gal. fuel tank, relocated for 2010 on the YZ450F to underseat.

Chassis
A new aluminum frame and swingarm are used, with the main frame constructed out of sixteen different pieces of aluminum designed to provide optimum rigidity and feel. The entire rear suspension was reengineered in order to keep the rear shock in the center of the machine, a position previously used by the airbox (now repositioned to the front of the motorcycle). Another big change is the way the 1.6-gallon fuel tank has been re-located under the seat between the frame rails.

Reworked triple clamps hold last year’s ultra-plush Kayaba Speed Sensitive fork and reduce offset down to 22mm (from 25mm). The fork also benefits from 10mm longer suspension stroke, updated damping characteristics and still offers both compression and rebound damping adjustment. The rear shock absorber, also made by Kayaba, gets a larger 50mm diameter piston and a larger volume gas reservoir. Like always, it offers adjustment for spring preload, high and low-speed compression, and rebound damping. Lastly, a new lightweight skid plate mounted beneath the engine helps protect the underside of the machine.

Factory GYTR Accessories
Yamaha is releasing an entire line of factory designed and tested accessories to complement your new YZ. Some of the most notable upgrades are the GYTR Ported Cylinder Head Assembly, (the same one James Stewart uses in AMA Supercross) and a GYTR Power Tuner. The handheld unit allows you to adjust your 2010 YZ450F’s engine settings including both fuel and ignition curves anywhere with a push of the button.

Pricing and U.S. availability has yet to be announced. Motorcycle USA will sample the new YZ450F later in September at the legendary Budds Creek Motocross Park in southern Maryland. Stay tuned for the full ride report.

The 2010 Yamaha YZ450F looks ready for dirt and we are looking forward to doing a full-test very soon.

eric
-of coarse
November 28, 2009 07:17 AM
just look at what these guys do fo street bikes.. it no wonder this this is so bad A$$ .. honda's got some competiotion now.. i fill my garage with both .. The japanese are amazing fellers!!!

moto 128
-2010 yzf 450
October 1, 2009 08:14 PM
Amazing suspension revisement. Genius. They put all the right things in the right places. Cant wait to see what these things are going to be like to work on. Shorter stroke? Larger 4 valve instead of 5. WHHHEEEW. Hope the injection system is tits. Sign me up for the whitey.

chentaichiacademy
-impressive
September 20, 2009 11:01 PM
always been a Honda fan.But Yammy have always led with new techAwesome looking bike

joshman
-super wow
September 15, 2009 11:35 PM
love the look keep it up yamaha and great idea of moveing the gas tank under the seat. i wish all the yamaha racers out there on the track and win another for yamaha. i cant wait till i can get my hands on one this spring

Tessier
-Finaly
September 9, 2009 06:05 PM
What has taken so long for someone else to finally reverse the freaken cylinder head. Cannondale and now ATK has been doing it for years. It makes total sense so what's taking so long. It look's like Yamaha took the best of the cannondale of yesteryears and the husaberg of today to make one beautiful. Hopefully we will see these changes on the WR. Then you will have my check!

Michael Fox
-Yamahah YZ450F
September 9, 2009 07:58 AM
This bike is the baddest bike I have ever seen.It's also pretty sweet.

aaron.mcmeekan
-yzf 450
September 8, 2009 11:26 PM
i think the new yzf450 look and soundes better than larst years model.

JaimeB
-Yamaha
September 8, 2009 09:10 PM
This is the funkiest, most radical MXer of our time, so far. It just looks incredible in white!

It reminds me of the Yamaha factory OW-51 of 1980 (white and red) which looked stunning in its time, and Donnie Schmit's (R.I.P) super radical looking 1992 YZ250 (also red and white).

x2468
-wow
September 8, 2009 08:57 PM
Thoughts:
-looks ALOT like the Benelli 450, styling wise!!
-why isn't this type of intake/exhaust done more often?
-James Stewart will go from the most archaic bike to the most exotic bike on the track this year.
-Like spazmoso, i'm also hoping this engine will be as reliable as the last.
-how will it be 0ff-road?
-245lbs? is that wet weight?

spazmoso
-new yz
September 8, 2009 05:53 PM
looks formidable,hope the four valves is as durable as the time tested genesis head.im glad the bike has been updated,mabye now yamahas might get the respect there due.

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